Bill > S2117

This bill, titled "The Personal Hygiene Product Safety and Toxic Metal Removal Act of 2026," establishes a new chapter in Rhode Island law to protect public health by significantly reducing harmful metals in personal care products. Starting January 1, 2030, personal hygiene and care products sold in the state will be prohibited from containing "detectable concentrations" – meaning any amount above specific limits set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or other authorities – of toxic metals like lead (0.1 parts per million), cadmium (0.05 ppm), and arsenic (0.1 ppm), with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to determine limits for other harmful metals. Manufacturers will be required to conduct regular testing by accredited independent laboratories, report their findings to the Department of Business Regulation (DBR), and ensure their products meet these new standards, with enforcement beginning 180 days after the effective date. The DBR will have the authority to inspect products, seize non-compliant items, impose civil penalties up to $250,000 per violation, and seek legal injunctions to stop the sale of products that violate these limits, with repeat offenders facing increased penalties. The bill also mandates that personal care products include a label certifying they have been tested and meet federal safety standards for toxic metals, and it directs the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to launch a public awareness campaign and provide grants for research into safer alternatives to toxic metals in these products.

Health and Social Services

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